Food

Red Cabbage Slaw Recipe: Savory Coleslaw for Fish Tacos

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Mar 30, 2022 • 2 min read

Learn how to make a red cabbage slaw recipe for all types of savory sandwiches, as well as how to customize the flavor by adding jalapeños, cumin, celery seeds, and other ingredients.

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What Is Red Cabbage Slaw?

Red cabbage slaw, or cabbage salad, is a mix of shredded red cabbage (or purple cabbage), carrots, seasonings, and dressing. Red cabbage is a gluten-free, low-carbohydrate food and a source of calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

A traditional coleslaw recipe includes green cabbage, savoy cabbage, and carrots in a thin dressing. Creamed cabbage, a similar dish, consists of fine-chopped cabbage in a creamy sauce. Depending on your personal preferences, a red cabbage slaw might use a mayonnaise-based dressing (for a creamy red cabbage slaw) or a vinegar dressing (for a tangy slaw).

3 Foods to Serve With Red Cabbage Slaw

Below are three foods you can pair with a red cabbage slaw to take the mixture beyond a side dish:

  1. 1. Fish tacos: Nestle fried or grilled fish inside a tortilla. Top the fish tacos with fresh lime juice, cilantro, and cabbage coleslaw. The crunchy slaw will pair well with the fresh fish regardless of whether or not the slaw includes a tangy or creamy dressing.
  2. 2. Hot dogs: Creamy coleslaw is a popular hot dog topping in North Carolina and South Carolina. The sweet dressing that coats your cabbage coleslaw will offset the smoky flavor of the hot dog.
  3. 3. Pulled pork sandwich: Serve red cabbage slaw on top of a sweet and smoky pulled pork sandwich—each bite of the barbecue pork sandwich will be crunchy, tender, and saucy. You can serve more red cabbage slaw on the side if you wish.

Red Cabbage Slaw Recipe

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makes

prep time

20 min

total time

20 min

Ingredients

Note: The total time does not include 1 hour of inactive time.

  1. 1

    With a chef’s knife, cut the cabbage into quarters and remove the core.

  2. 2

    In a food processor fitted with the shredding attachment or a box grater, shred the cabbage and carrots.

  3. 3

    In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage and shredded carrots.

  4. 4

    With a chef’s knife or a mandoline, thinly slice half of a large red onion and add the slices to the cabbage and carrots.

  5. 5

    Chop the fresh parsley and add it to the large bowl.

  6. 6

    Slice the green onions and add them to the cabbage mixture.

  7. 7

    Sprinkle the salt and lemon juice over the cabbage mixture and toss the ingredients.

  8. 8

    In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and black pepper.

  9. 9

    Pour the dressing over the cabbage and toss the slaw with tongs.

  10. 10

    Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

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